The Wandering Deity's World

The great brouhaha about the final sequel of the Pirate movie is over... to me, that is. For almost three hours I was entertained to my ass. Curiosity still unsatiated, I sat through the end of the credits to see what's that “final scene” the fans in IMDB forum were screeching about. According to them, it’s the scene every sane moviegoers should not miss for anything in the world. Mum's the word.

One hundred sixty-eight minutes of sword swashbuckling. Every scene’s worthy of your hard-earned 8 bucks (based on Korea’s ticket pricing). Awesome.

I am not going to spoil the fun for you dearest friends. If you haven’t catch the Pirate fever yet, now is the time to move your lazy butts and run to the nearest cinema. 

With Elizabeth heading the pirates conglomerate, buccaneers never look this hot.

While waiting for the screening of the movie The Departed, I abused the free pc in the cinema lobby and chatted with my sister when I noticed that an old college friend was online. I talked to him a bit and catched up on our lives. He mentioned about enjoying the article I wrote about Korean Ajummas, which made me mentioned an incident that happened very recently with another obnoxious Ajumma. Don't get me wrong here. I have nothing against Ajummas, I actually so love them. They are my bestfriends. I worship them. I idolize them. It's just that most of the times, they won't leave me alone.

You see, I was enjoying this momentary bliss (one of the value added services offered by MP3s) while waiting for the train, when suddenly an Ajumma yanked my earpiece out, to tell me that her friend is asking something. I was sooo annoyed that I spoke to them in English. "I don't know Korean. I am a foreigner!" Do you think that drove them right away? Nah. It just pissed them off. While backing off, they had the guts to curse me in hangeul, which made me want to yell back, "I understood that! Bitches!"

Okay, that's not the whole point of this entry anway. Let's me talk about The Departed. A Martin Scorcese film can never go wrong. With a grand cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg and Jack Nicholson, you got entertainment up to your ears. The movie reminded me of The Usual Suspects. Why is that? Because the dang movie is so baffling, it confused me, like Kevin Spacey confused everyone. Just when you think you figured everything out, you don't! Ha! I only wanted my head to be entertained not my brain to be hemorrhaged. Or maybe it's just me. It's just my puny cerebrum not digesting the whole plot of the movie. I dunno.

Leo is definitely ruggedly matured in this film, I almost believe that he had grown up. Matt Damon still looks like he took off from the set of Ocean Thirteen to dip in this movie. He wasn't particularly convincing, but he pulled off his character quite well. Hats off to Jack Nicholson who never ceased to deliver his best. You won't believe though that he is capable of mutilating innocent people. Opsss. Sorry. Mark Wahlberg? Was he there? I think he was... for a couple of scenes. The cast is simply splendid. Don't expect any sex scenes though. It's pure violence. Through and through.

Everybody should watch this film and tell me if Jack Nicholson is so and so, then why did they, the cops, so and so him? Just now, the boyfriend is asking if it's a good movie and I said yes. It's so great I have to watch it again to  understand it. There's something I missed somewhere. I don't remember leaving my seat to pee. I am so having UTI already but I chose to sit firmly the entire screening. Still... I don't get it. I want to cry now and ran back to the movie house and watch it again. Maybe the next time I see it, there would be an explaination why this and that happened.

Maybe this is the reason why I am such an eccentric Ajumma.

Disappointed that Miami Vice isn't playing yet in the theaters, I opted to see The Fast and the Furious :Tokyo Drift today.  It's a good thing that I made sure I have not seen, read or heard anything about the movie so as not to spoil my viewing experience.

The lead star,  Lucas Black,  who plays the role of Sean Boswell, has this very boyish naughty smile that fits perfectly in his Sean character. He also got this I-am-sorry-I-am-just-a-smart-ass look which will make any mama say: Who's your daddy boy?

Although Black isn't your typical TFTF hunk like Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, he passed up as a driving maniacal kid who simply wanted to drive to make himself feel better, or what seemed to me, was more like an act of making himself accepted in any new environment (he and his mother moved a lot because of his constant bout with driving related offenses). It is Sean's rebellious nature that added enigma to the movie.  

I was compelled to assume in the earlier parts of the flick that it has something else to offer, there's more beyond those breathtaking car race. It's all about acceptance, peer pressure,  and all those other related issues among the young people of today. You have to see the movie to find out if I am right.

Anyway, the movie wasn't so bad, if you're going to compare it with the first two. It has its own blast, unique and categorically mesmerizing in its own way. Who doesn't love loaded gorgeous fast cars? The Tokyo crowd is really cool. The Japs hotties with their 20-ish waistlines are ggrrrrrr... The crowd's pretty much like the same stuff you'll see if you hang out in Apgujeong at night time. The car stunts are just way too cool as in the tradition of TFTF movies. And the soundtrack is pretty much entertaining - make you groove in your seat.

Like any other youth-oriented movies that I have seen before, it made me worry for my son who's now a budding teen-ager: careless; carefree and daring. I know it's a little freakish to be worrying that my son will be involved with Yakuzas or any gangs for that matter, but I just can't help it.  The movie will remind the parents that a child, if not properly guided may drift to an unknown horizon and find himself/herself in a trouble he/she may not be able to maneuver alone.

In summary, Too Fast Too Furious The Tokyo Drift is an entertaining flick. Those who are familiar with the art of drift will definitely love the movie. Jeez, it would be awesome to master the trick! Ha!

I just love the last scene.

When I was in 4th grade (I think) I remember drooling on the posters of Christoper Reeves, the Superman during that era. I carried that torch of infatuation from grade school to high school. Secretly, I would wish then that he's real and one day, he will arrive in school to sweep me off my feet, much to the envy of my classmates. Harharharhar!

But it never happened! Instead, I met and abominably  fell in love with the Lex Luthors and scumbags of the universe (well, at least some of them are). I became a dyke, a mother, a teacher and not a journalist like Lois Lane... bla... bla... bla... Nothing was heard from the Man of Steel. No Superman ever flew to my window to fly me to the moon! Honestly, when Reeves passed away, he took with him all my devotion for Superman. 

Now, almost twenty years after, that same passion was rekindled by the sight of this really delectable specie. Can anyone blame me if I cheat on the BF with this hottie? I mean, just look at him. Isn't he a delight to feast on?

The year is 2004. Almost all of our students on phone are asking our opinion about Da Vinci Code, the coolest book ever written on the face of the planet (according to our Korean students) and so O and I decided that we have to read the book. Mr. K, O's lovable hubby, bought a Korean version and an English version for us to read. The students were right - the book is fascinating. It did shake my faith about the foundation of Catholic church - for a book to stir my imagination that wild, proves it's a great read.

Fast forward to 2006. The book was made into a movie. Prior to the international screening, so much hullabaloos were written and published, a smear campaign should I say against the book's credibility. Manila banned the showing of the film, saying its theme is a blasphemy against the Catholic church.

I have read bad and good reviews about the movie, but being a movie critic myself, I know that a film's beauty depends entirely on one's own interpretation of what he/she sees on the widescreen. The movie, by the way, was never booed or hissed at the last Cannes Film Festival, in contrast to previously written reports. Since I never had time to go to the movie house, I opted to see a pirated copy courtesy of a friend who was too glad to lend, saying the movie was worth the 5 bucks. And boy was I relieved I didn't shell out 8 bucks for the movie. Erhm...

And...

I don't want to write anything anymore. I suggest you people who have yet to read the book, to just go ahead and read it. You will be entertained, your imagination stirred, your faith a little tarnished. It's guaranteed.

The movie? I knew my eyes cheated me. I am pretty much convinced of that, so I searched for a  concrete evidence that will confirm my doubt. I needed to find someone whose analysis bears the same sentiment I have, as I am just too laid-back to write anything for now. Here read this review about the Da Vinci Code and see for yourself what I am  trying to say.

I guess I need to see the movie a second time. Let's see if things will change by then.

On second thought, I shall consider what BF said: wait for the remake. Maybe I will be hired to play Sophie. Teehee.

I love action movies. I love enthralling testosterone packed scenes. I also love J. J. Abrams, the multi-talented writer/creator/director of my favorite action series Alias" and Lost (I haven't seen a single decent episode of this one). And okay... I admit it... I love Tom Cruise. Honestly. What. I. Love. ARE. His. Movies. You don't have to believe that. 

I was a little upset that I missed the special premier of MI 3 last Monday. I was supposed to go with my editor but because my celphone was busted for some days now, she probably assumed that I wasn't interested, as I did not make any effort of confirming our date. Thing is, I FORGOT! To cut the long lamentations, I watched MI3 in Seoul Cinema last Friday because it's Children's Day and of course, we have no classes. Yippeee! Despite of a friend's warning that the seats would be fully booked because it's holiday, I was able to get a ticket and fretted with excitement as I waited for the screening time.

As I expected, the action sequences are GREAT, with a capital T! The press kit is true to its words: you will be holding unto the edge of your chair throughout the movie (except for the mushy part). It's packed with spectacular car chase scenes, breathtaking bunjee jumps from the nth storey of one building to the other, earth-trembling explosives, which are all reminiscent of Alias episodes, the necessary elements of a J.J. Abram's work.

Followers of Alias and other Abram's creation, would know that Abram usually delivers a jack in the box at the end of the movie. The twist and turn of the plot will make you think you nailed the bad guy... but hey, you could be wrong or you could be right.

Okay, here's the glitch.

The plot isn't what you expect it to be. What the heck is the Rabbit Foot? Nobody explained to me. I was tempted to ask my seatmates if they understood what the bloody heck is the Rabbit Foot for. Don't get me wrong here. I probably didn't understand  the whole movie at all, as there was some point in the movie that I got sidetracked.

Perhaps when the Rabbit Foot was being discoursed, it was when my celphone rang and I was humiliated with "Ship-Bal!!!" (Korean for F&*^%$#^^%K You! Turn the bloody phone off!) I got myself busy frantically searching for the dang phone in my bag for some precious minutes, thus probably missing important scenes.

Also, I was assigned to a couple's seat (of course, since I was alone, I had to occupy the two seats by myself and wished the BF's with me). The couple seated beside me are kinda annoying to a certain degree. The girl was incessantly making lilttle whiny noise (sounds like a cat in heat) that really irritated me.

The movie's great if not only for the sub-love story plot. Aaarrgh! Hmp! But I love that scene where Julia tried to revive the dead Ethan Hunt. Oh yes people! Ethan died. Sorry to break the news.

During that scene, nobody, as in nobody in the moviehouse dared to produce a single fart. Really! The scene was so touching, you would be tempted to push Julia and do CPR to Ethan yourself. Then, suddenly, someone in the audience sniffed. Was it I? I can't remember exactly.

The actors are okay. Nothing typical of an Oscar nomination acting piece from Philip Seymour Hoffman who won best actor in Capote. Hoffman I believe should have been given more exposure in this movie. Laurence Fishburne as always delivered his character with finesse. Love him! I did not recognize Billy Grudup of "Almost Famous" fame. He's so formal in this movie. I like his grin. Michelle Monaghan as Julia is so pretty, it is but understandable that Ethan would want to die for her. Sweet Keri Russel, is so matured-looking in this movie, you would not recognize her as the Ms. Goodie Goody in Felicity right away.

Go ahead, see the movie. MI 3 is a perfect date movie. Be warned though not to watch it alone. I should know!

Today, courtesy of movie coupons (as payment for the articles that I wrote! Yes!) from worknplay.co.kr, I saw the movie "The Interpreter".

It's a heart gripping movie that spins off a narrative that will blew everyone by surprise, so to speak.

The Interpreter: Cast
Nicole Kidman - Silvia Broome
Sean Penn - Tobin Keller
Catherine Keener - Dot Woods
Jesper Christensen - Nils Lud
Yvan Attal - Philippe
Earl Cameron - Zuwanie
George Harris - Kuman-Kuman
Michael Wright - Marcus
Clyde Kusatsu - Police Chief Lee Wu
Eric Keenleyside - Rory Robb
Hugo Speer - Simon Broome
Maz Jobrani - Mo
Yusuf Gatewood - Doug
Curtiss Cook - Ajene Xola (as Curtiss I'Cook)
Byron Utley - Jean Gamba

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for violence, some sexual content and brief strong language.
Runtime: 128 min

Directed by Sidney Pollack, the talented director which culminated his craft from great classic movies such as Tootsie, Out of Africa, Random Heart, Three Days of the Condor, among others, delivered another great in this film.

Starring the flawless Nicole Kidman as Sylvia, a UN Interpreter, who overheard an assasination plot against the Motobo's President Dr. Zuwanie. Agent Keller played by Sean Penn was charged to protect her and to find the perpretrators as well.

As the story unfolds, one will be stimulated with the highlights which includes some volatile scenes. The plot twists in a capricious mode that will leave you wondering what will happen next.

In general, the movie is a heart pumping suspense thriller with poignant scenes that will touch you, truly a Pollack's signature.

WITH: Keanu Reeves (John Constantine), Rachel Weisz (Angela Dodson/Isabel), Shia LaBeouf (Chaz), Tilda Swinton (Gabriel), Pruitt Taylor Vince (Father Hennessy), Djimon Hounsou (Midnite), Gavin Rossdale (Balthazar) and Peter Stormare (Satan).

Directed by Francis Lawrence; written by Kevin Brodbin and Frank Cappello, based on characters from the DC/Vertigo "Hellblazer". Released by Warner Brothers Pictures. Running time: 122 minutes. This film is rated R.

THE STORY:

John Constantine has been to hell and back. Born with a gift he didn’t want, the ability to recognize the half-breed angels and demons that walk the earth in human camouflage, Constantine (KEANU REEVES) was driven to take his own life to escape the tormenting clarity of his vision. But he failed. Resuscitated against his will, he found himself cast back into the land of the living. Now, marked as an attempted suicide with a temporary lease on life, he patrols the earthly border between heaven and hell, hoping in vain to earn his way to salvation by waging war on the earthbound minions of evil.

But Constantine is no saint. Increasingly disillusioned by the world around him and at odds with the one beyond, he’s a hard-drinking, hard-living bitter hero who scorns the very idea of heroism. Constantine will fight to save your soul but he doesn’t want your admiration or your thanks – and certainly not your sympathy. All he wants is a way out.

When a desperate but skeptical police detective (RACHEL WEISZ as Angela Dodson) enlists his help in solving the mysterious death of her beloved twin sister, their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists just beneath the landscape of contemporary Los Angeles. Caught in a catastrophic series of otherworldy events, the two become inextricably involved and seek to find their own peace at whatever cost.

The Deity's Comments:

Seeing Keanu as Constantine, the grumpy chain-smoker who chases demons on earth, is like seeing the sulky version of "Neo". Keanu's signature outfit in this movie, minus the "shades", is very much similar to the one donned by Mr. Smith, the nemesis of Neo. Chic but a little bit disheveled.

The movie's fantasmic computer graphics of demons is simply awesome. I understand that the director, Francis Lawrence, is a former MTV director. That explains much the MTV like shots of some scenes that would make you wonder, "Where is the rock music that should go with this scene?”

Rachel Weisz was so-so. She didn't seem credible as a hard-core cop that she is supposed to portray. I think Jada Pinkett will do more had she been casted.

Djimon Hounsou as Midnite, is the movie's suave cool mediator between the angels and devils. Some of his scenes definitely rocks! I remember his remarkable role in "Gladiator". There were scenes in that movie that he likewise stole the thunder from Russel Crowe.

Another scene-stealer is Shia LaBeouf who plays Chaz, the cute sidekick/driver of Constantine. Chaz's scenes are definitely a welcome relief to Keanu's rather formal demeanor.

The movie's supposed climax was quite disappointing though. In my opinion, that is. I was expecting a grand-breathtaking-bloody fight scene between Satan and Constantine. Much to my dismay, the movie's last battle coup was a far cry from what I anticipated.

In summary, Constantine is a good "date movie". If you're a guy who wants your chic clinging to your arms all through out the movie, then this is your chance to smell her hair while she whimpers and squeezes her bod to you every time a demon comes out on the screen. He! He!

Happy watching!